Bimini Tops

[Flatwaterfooter]

Can some one post some pictures of there boats with a bimini. I want to add on to my 95 prostar, can I do it without drilling into the gunnel? Who makes the best bimini?

[AirJunky]

I did a Photoshop mockup of my boat with a bimini on it. I wanted it mounted a bit further back than some so that I could zip in a clear plastic front when the weather went cold. It would be mounted to the tower.
Others mount them to the windshield too.

[bepresto]

not very good pics but, here is both sides of the bimini top. johnson bimini tops in california custom made this for us, and had it to us in wichita kansas in two weeks. we have had the top on the boat for about 4 years now.

[Ryan]

BPresto, that is one sweet bimini top!

Flatwaterfooter, I think you have three choices for mounting:
-Drilling and mounting into the fiberglass
-Mounting into windshield frame
-Or Mounting into a tower

Some say mine's backwards...I don't care. This way it folds down in front of the windshield when the boot's on.

[east tx skier]

Here's a thread I started on the subject a while back. Mine is a little down the page.

http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=1963&page=2&pp=30&highlight=bimini

[SteveO]

bpresto, That is an awesome bimini. Goes perfect with the stars and strips ride. Not bad for the 4th either

[erkoehler]

I would like to see the 98 S&S graphics on a new 190 or 197 anniversary edition. They have to be my favorite graphics of all time...

[east tx skier]

While I like the 98 S&S graphics, I wouldn't change the look of the 03 S&S for anything. That was a slick ride!

[captkidd]

The thread Doug posted has a lot of good varieties on how to mount your bimini. Notice that Doug's top is a 2-bow top, where many others are 3-bow (not that 3 is necessarily better). This might affect where you mount the top. My top is in there somewhere, but I'll post a few pics here just to up my post count.

I really like my windshield mount because it doesn't involve drilling into the fiberglass, although I did drill into the fiberglass to mount the bracket for my support poles. In retrospect, I probably could have used a clamp similar to the one Doug used and mounted it to the rear grab rails instead, but I use my top practically every time I go out so the bracket really isn't in the way.

I'll also throw in a plug for www.coversearch.com, the place I bought my bimini from. They offer custom colors at no extra charge, free shipping, free matching boot, and send enough stainless and plastic hardware to mount your top about any place you want to. Seems like mine was about $275 including the rear support poles, which I would also recommend because they allow you to get the top out of the way if you're not using it. BTW, the push pins did not come with the top, but I would also highly recommend those because they're so much easier than screwing in a screw each time you install the top. Good luck.

[tph]

Can some one post some pictures of there boats with a bimini. I want to add on to my 95 prostar, can I do it without drilling into the gunnel? Who makes the best bimini?

I was able to mount our top using suction cups at the 6 points of attachment. No holes anywhere.

[Flatwaterfooter]

Any pictures of that that is what I am looking for. How does it hold at higher speeds

[planoboy]

I ordered a top from Johnson bimini w/ stachions aft for rigidity.
My boat has open bow, walk thru windshield.
They made it backwards, w/ the long bow in front, as they seem to do for many ski boats so it will fold over the windshield.
Problem was i wanted to fold it aft to rest on the stanchions. (why I ordered it that way)
Johnson said it did not matter if the long bow was in front or in back, I said for $700, it did to me. I pointed out what I considered a design flaw, Johnson refused to fix it, charged me shipping both ways, I am out $100 and got nothing from Johnson but an attitude. I am looking for a local shop in DFW Tx area now.
R/Plano :twocents:

[dmac]

When I do get to the bimini, I will probably go OEM with the rigid mounts on the windshield frame. Probably won't be this year as there will be 2 in college for '05 - '06.

[east tx skier]

I'll put in a plug for the OEM bimini. It's hard to beat the fit. Of course, I got it for darned-near cost.

[phecksel]

I'll put in a plug for the OEM bimini. It's hard to beat the fit. Of course, I got it for darned-near cost.

If I remember my dealers price $700ish, v 243 I just paid Overtons Sunday.

Mine will be mounted to allow it to fold forward in front of the windshield. Probably have to drill holes in the gelcoat :(

[tph]

Any pictures of that that is what I am looking for. How does it hold at higher speeds

I'll try to get some pictures today. We've had a cup pop off every now and then, but usually because it wasn't attached properly (dirty surface, not pressed on firmly etc.) It seems OK at higher speeds as long as the top isn't angled back and catching a lot of air.

[captkidd]

Those must be some killer suction cups. My top seems to be straining the mounts pretty good at higher speeds. I use suction cups to hold my bumpers on when docking and they seem to hold pretty well (but I usually loop the loose end of the strap around the grab rail, just in case). I don't think that drilling the windshield frame is a big deal. If you decide later on to remove it, you just putty up the hole and apply a little touch-up paint.

Even though I have ordered a lot of stuff from Overton's, I decided against buying a bimini from them because they charged about $30 more for the same top, $10 more for custom colors (and added 2-3 weeks for delivery), charged $40 for the support poles (vs. $30), charged $18 for shipping, and only supplied the minimal mounting hardware with it. I saved at least $60-70 by ordering from www.coversearch.com, had my top in less than a week vs. 3 weeks, and I would almost guarantee that it is the same top Overton's sells (as it shipped from SC). Disclaimer: I have no monetary interest in coversearch.com, I'm just a very satisfied customer.

[tph]

Here are some pics:

[Footin]

Captkidd,

I think you have sold me on coversearch, I am going to order a black top for my 94 205 in the next few days. I do have a few questions though:

Did you order the 73-78 inch width?

Did you get the 30 inch height? If you got the 36 inch are you glad you did? I realize it is not that much different but I think I will need the 30 inch because of the board rack on my extended pylon.

I like were you put the mounts for the base of the top, did you take apart your windshield or just use short screws and be very carefull drilling as not to hit the side glass in the windshield frame?

Does anyone know if coversearch will install a zipper for an extended pylon?

Thanks in advance.

[Mosaic13]

Not sure how this will play into your choice of tops and mounting locations, but the one issue I have with mine (factory top on '04 210) is that when pulling a boarder I like having the booster seat up for forward visability. Problem is, whith the bimini deployed I can't see the rider in the mirror very well at all, especially while getting up to speed. I just wish MC had considered the driver's view to the rear when configuring the mounting points. Anyway, maybe something to think about if you're looking into a custom solution.

[CaptCurt72]

This is a factory job and it all mounts to the windsheld. Folds back and stays up. It's also tall enough to walk under standing up.

[east tx skier]

If I remember my dealers price $700ish, v 243 I just paid Overtons Sunday.

Mine will be mounted to allow it to fold forward in front of the windshield. Probably have to drill holes in the gelcoat :(

Paid $400. Of course, still not as inexpensive as Overtons.

[jimmer2880]

BPresto, that is one sweet bimini top!

Flatwaterfooter, I think you have three choices for mounting:
-Drilling and mounting into the fiberglass
-Mounting into windshield frame
-Or Mounting into a tower

Some say mine's backwards...I don't care. This way it folds down in front of the windshield when the boot's on.

Ryan, I'll say yours is mounted backwards. So is mine. I love it, because I put rigid support poles in the front. That way, when the boot is on - it's out of the way.

Sorry - for some reason, I don't have any pic's with my bimini. Maybe some day.

[Ryan]

By the way, that's icy frost on my bimini in the middle of June!

[milkmania]

ok, now where do I find the best place to get Sunbrella® material "by the yard"?

google got me down to about $14.75 a yard

[east tx skier]

If you order enough (I didn't say "group buy"), you can get it for less at http://www.seattlefabrics.com/sunbrella.html

[MarkP]

You can get the material at this site too.. http://www.websweeper.com/php/fabrics/sun-by-yd.php

[captkidd]

Captkidd,

I think you have sold me on coversearch, I am going to order a black top for my 94 205 in the next few days. I do have a few questions though:

Did you order the 73-78 inch width?

Did you get the 30 inch height? If you got the 36 inch are you glad you did? I realize it is not that much different but I think I will need the 30 inch because of the board rack on my extended pylon.

I like were you put the mounts for the base of the top, did you take apart your windshield or just use short screws and be very carefull drilling as not to hit the side glass in the windshield frame?

Does anyone know if coversearch will install a zipper for an extended pylon?

Thanks in advance.
Yes, 73-78 inch width. I cut about 1" off each end of the center poles because the top was a bit too wide, causing the poles to put stress on the windshield mounting brackets. It wasn't bad, but it works much better now and it was really easy to do.

36" height. It's easier to cut the poles to lower the top (if you want to) than to add an extension to lengthen them. I like the height of mine because I don't have to bend over as far to walk through.

Didn't need to disassemble the windshield frame. Just drilled pilot holes and used the screws they provided, using a handheld screwdriver in case I hit the glass. No problem.

Don't know about the zipper, but you could ask them.

Sunbrella is made by a local factory here, Glen Raven Mills. They might be able to put you in touch with some suppliers (just Google on them). Good luck. I really think you will be pleased.

[captkidd]

Scratch that. Mine is 30" tall. I went back and checked my old invoice (took me a while to find it). Hope I didn't screw you up.

[east tx skier]

For what it's worth, here are the specs on my OEM top.

The width from mount to mount is 73.75"
The height from deck to the top of the canvas is 25"
The height from mount to the top of the canvas is 17"
The distance from the mounting point on the windshield to the back edge of the windshield is 15".

You have to duck under it, but I perfer the lower profile.

[MarkP]

For what it's worth, here are the specs on my OEM top.

The width from mount to mount is 73.75"
The height from deck to the top of the canvas is 25"
The height from mount to the top of the canvas is 17"
The distance from the mounting point on the windshield to the back edge of the windshield is 15".

You have to duck under it, but I perfer the lower profile.
I like the low profile as well. I’ve been having a little trouble getting the new cloth part made for mine, (I have the frame set up the way I want it). The local cover/bimini place wants too much to do the job and they IMO are hacks anyway.

I just talked to an Asian woman at the local upholstery shop and she told me to bring it by for her to look at. Hope its ok if I steal your photo to help break the language barrier when I try to explain what I want..

[Footin]

Yes, 73-78 inch width. I cut about 1" off each end of the center poles because the top was a bit too wide, causing the poles to put stress on the windshield mounting brackets. It wasn't bad, but it works much better now and it was really easy to do.

36" height. It's easier to cut the poles to lower the top (if you want to) than to add an extension to lengthen them. I like the height of mine because I don't have to bend over as far to walk through.

Didn't need to disassemble the windshield frame. Just drilled pilot holes and used the screws they provided, using a handheld screwdriver in case I hit the glass. No problem.

Don't know about the zipper, but you could ask them.

Sunbrella is made by a local factory here, Glen Raven Mills. They might be able to put you in touch with some suppliers (just Google on them). Good luck. I really think you will be pleased.


Thanks for the info, I will probably order one in the next few days.

[Footin]

I just called them, too bad they will not install the zipper for an extended pylon. I still may order the top from them then take it to an upolstry shop and have a zipper or flap installed or look for a bimini top company that I can get a sunbrella op with a zipper.

I know Johnson will do it, but I don't want a 500 dollar top.

[Footin]

I called cover search the other day and ordered a black sunbrella bimini for my 205, very nice people on the phone. I decided to get it form them because of the positive feedback on this forum.

I did talk to a local canvas shop and the said they will install a zipper or a "flap" matching my new top for the extended pylon for about 40 bucks.

To everyone I asked questions to, Thanks again for you help on this order.

[yzwiley]

I wish I had a bimini.

I bought my brand new Mastercraft back in mid-May and still have yet to get the top that was promised to me. And as of today, I just got word that my dealer got the wrong one from from MC, so now I get to wait another two months for one.

It's silly. I'll finally get it by the time summer is over. Ah hell, at least I'm getting a really dark tan out of this.